Sounds like dissociation to me, though obviously I could be mistaken. I do know that dissociation while driving is very common in people who do not have a dissociative disorder, and that generally people are safe while driving dissociating.

I get dissociative in stores, less now than I used to, but I know the feeling of walking out into the parking lot and not knowing where I parked or what kind of car to look for. I find it embarrassing. I am blessed with a dog who alerts me most of the time when I dissociate. I highly recommend that.