For something different, I recommend Viburnum sargentii 'Onondaga'. The tag on mine states that the mature size is 6-8' tall x 6-8' wide, but it could possibly grow twice that much. It would need to be planted at least 4' from the driveway. It is cold hardy to at least -30 degrees F to -20 degrees F. The foliage is a dark green, and it has a very dense, upright, rounded shape. The flowers are the stunner, they consist of inner fertile flowers that are reddish with outer sterile flowers that are white. The contrast is quite striking. It blooms in early summer here in IL. My tag states that "the young maroon leaves change to red-purple in fall" but I haven't had mine long enough to comment on fall color. As previously stated, it would need a pollinator in order to fruit; not sure that you'd want that near your car anyway though! Another option that might work is Viburnum plicatum 'Summer Snowflake'. This sounds more like what you both have in mind, I think. The growth habit on this one is more layered, definitely upright, with more mature shrubs exhibiting a tiered effect that is also quite striking. The summer blooms are pure white, and look like lace-cap hydrangea flowers. And the bloom is extended all summer long. Mine are under a maple tree, and can you believe it, they're still growing and blooming. I do plan to move them, or possibly trade one for another variety. I think viburnums make great specimens!

Are there any established plantings of laurel in your area? That should give you an indication of how well it might work. It can get desiccation/winter burn in colder areas so even if you do confirm that laurels work in your area, I'd not be inclined to plant until spring. Laurels DO seem to be a pretty good choice for your needs as far as growth rate and spread is concerned. They are used frequently here for privacy hedging (maybe to excess) but they will certainly get far larger than 10'. Have you considered any conifers? 'Green Giant' arborvitae will give you the spread you need but again, won't stop at 10'. Can be sheared into a hedge form, however. And as Ken notes, a mixed planting of both conifers and broadleaved evergreens (maybe mix in a few deciduous shrubs as well) can be equally effective and avoid any monoculture issues. Depends on how groomed you want the hedge to be.

The high quality ones always have both blades moving in opposite directions for better cuts. As oppose to some cheap ones that one blade is stationary and only one blade move. Yes, a lot of people think just because Home Depot sell Echo, then they are not commercial quality. That HC151 is a tough cookie!!! Because it's too short, I bought a Shindaiwa short reach articulate hedge trimmer ( $$$$....my toy!!!) and I have been using the Echo to cut through over 1/2" branch to compact the recycle box. I mean I stuff the branches into the box, stick the HC151 blade into the box and cut through them, pack more down and stick the blade in and cut. That is a rough task and it really hold up!!! That is trimmer abuse!!! It is powerful, earn my respect to the HC151. Still quite sharp even after all the abuse.

Stihl, Echo and Redmax all make articulating extended reach hedge trimmers, some with a shaft as long as 59". They're all excellent brands. I imagine any of them would work well for you. I've got several Stihl products I'm happy with, but Echo has a good rep and has a 5 year warranty. Redmax is probably the most expensive of the three. I was sitting at a Jiffy Rip the other day eating a snack in my truck and was watching a landscaper trim the hedges along the road. He had an articulating Redmax. He was zipping through those hedges at a pretty fast clip. I caught him walking back to his truck on my way out and asked how he liked the Redmax hedge trimmers. He said they were the best ones he'd used. That's just what one guy told me, and I have no personal experience with gas trimmers of any kind, so take that for what its worth.