Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carry forwards	$ 28,054	$ 4,017
Accrued expenses	27,501	9,651
Accrued compensation	10,551	6,081
Book over tax cost unfavorable lease contracts	22,748
Other	169	274
Gross deferred tax assets	89,023	20,023
Less: valuation allowance	(25,299)	(318)
Total deferred tax asset	63,724	19,705
Deferred tax liabilities:
Prepaid expenses	(516)	(244)
Undistributed foreign earnings	(1,144)	(1,176)
Tax over book depreciation and amortization	(2,165)	(3,012)
Tax over book goodwill amortization	(27,496)	(25,426)
Tax over book cost favorable contracts	(31,411)
Other	(13,688)	(83)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(76,420)	(29,941)
Net deferred tax liability	(12,696)	(10,236)
Amounts recognized on the balance sheet
Deferred tax asset, current	14,824	2,745
Deferred tax (liability), long term	(27,521)	(12,981)
Net deferred tax liability	(12,696)	(10,236)
Valuation allowances attributable to state net operating loss carryforwards and other state deferred tax assets of Central Parking	24,981
Net operating loss carryforwards
Gross federal (NOLs)	5,677
State net operating loss (NOLs) carryforwards	21,919
Canada
Income Taxes
Foreign subsidiary earnings permanently reinvested to satisfy working capital requirements	1,600
Puerto Rico
Income Taxes
Foreign subsidiary earnings permanently reinvested to satisfy working capital requirements	3,641
Puerto Rico | Investment in foreign subsidiaries that are permanent in duration
Income Taxes
Tax that may be payable on distribution of foreign subsidiary earnings	$ 1,274