Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 Segment	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 Senior Subordinated Notes	Mar. 31, 2012 8.875% Senior Notes due January 2014	Feb. 28, 2012 8.875% Senior Notes due January 2014	Mar. 31, 2012 7.875% Senior Notes due January 2014	Feb. 28, 2012 7.875% Senior Notes due January 2014	Mar. 31, 2012 Total reportable segments	Mar. 31, 2011 Total reportable segments	Mar. 31, 2012 Car Rental	Mar. 31, 2011 Car Rental	Mar. 31, 2012 Equipment Rental	Mar. 31, 2011 Equipment Rental	Mar. 31, 2012 Other reconciling items	Mar. 31, 2011 Other reconciling items	Mar. 31, 2012 Purchase accounting	Mar. 31, 2011 Purchase accounting	Mar. 31, 2012 Non-cash debt charges	Mar. 31, 2011 Non-cash debt charges	Mar. 31, 2012 Restructuring charges	Mar. 31, 2011 Restructuring charges	Mar. 31, 2012 Restructuring related charges	Mar. 31, 2011 Restructuring related charges	Mar. 31, 2012 Acquisition related costs	Mar. 31, 2011 Acquisition related costs	Mar. 31, 2011 Management transition costs	Mar. 31, 2011 Premiums paid on debt	Mar. 31, 2012 Other	Mar. 31, 2011 Other
Segment Information
Number of reportable segments	2
Reconciliation of adjusted pre-tax income to income (loss) before income taxes
Revenues	$ 1,960,925,000	$ 1,780,003,000						$ 1,960,300,000	$ 1,778,500,000	$ 1,658,200,000	$ 1,510,300,000	$ 302,100,000	$ 268,200,000															$ 600,000	$ 1,500,000
Adjustments:
Adjusted pre-tax income (loss)	(36,809,000)	(158,882,000)						117,500,000	71,500,000	91,600,000	61,300,000	25,900,000	10,200,000	(88,100,000)	(87,500,000)	(24,100,000)	(20,600,000)	(25,200,000)	(59,900,000)	(9,400,000)	(4,900,000)	(600,000)	(500,000)	(6,900,000)	(2,800,000)	(2,500,000)	(51,700,000)
Interest rate (as a percent)			10.50%	8.875%	8.875%	7.875%	7.875%
Increase (decrease) in assets	$ (606,600,000)