RSUs [Abstract]

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- Definition

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Expected To Vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Expected To Vest, Number

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the weighted-average exercise price for outstanding share based compensation awards other than stock options that are expected to vest.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Performance Period

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Positive Dilutive Reporting Period - For most of the RSUs containing a performance-based vesting condition, the Company must report positive diluted earnings per share, subject to certain adjustments, during any fiscal year period within a specified reporting period following the grant date

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Stock Options [Abstract]

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of expense for award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes amount capitalized.

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
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- Definition

Amount of cost to be recognized for nonvested award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes share and unit options.

+ References

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- Definition

Period over which grantee's right to exercise award under share-based payment arrangement is no longer contingent on satisfaction of service or performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Includes, but is not limited to, combination of market, performance or service condition.

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- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

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- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

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- Definition

Per share or unit weighted-average fair value of nonvested award under share-based payment arrangement. Excludes share and unit options.

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- Definition

Weighted average remaining contractual term for equity-based awards excluding options, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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- Definition

Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Equity Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 7,968	$ 5,673
Stock Options [Abstract]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Excluding Option, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount	$ 59,000
Performance Based RSU [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Performance Period	3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	295,853		136,170
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 30.13		$ 27.69
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 32.21
RSUs [Abstract]
RSUs granted, shares	159,683
Stock Options [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Expected To Vest, Number	295,853
lkq_expected_to_vest_other_than_options_weighted_average_per_share	$ 30.13
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	2 years 2 months 12 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested	$ 6,068
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	1,905,100		1,612,026
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 32.47		$ 31.72
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 33.14
RSUs [Abstract]
RSUs granted, shares	777,439
Fair value of RSUs vested during the period	$ 15,000
Stock Options [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Expected To Vest, Number	1,777,842
lkq_expected_to_vest_other_than_options_weighted_average_per_share	$ 32.55
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Terms	3 years 3 months 18 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested	$ 36,463
Minimum [Member] \| Stock options
Stock Options [Abstract]
Stock options expiration period	6 years
Maximum \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Stock Options [Abstract]
Vesting period	5 years
Maximum \| Performance Shares [Member]
RSUs [Abstract]
Reporting period of positive diluted earnings per share	5 years
Maximum \| Stock options
Stock Options [Abstract]
Vesting period	5 years
Stock options expiration period	10 years