Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations:
Net earnings	$ 209,979	$ 169,777	$ 118,170
Less: Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	9,080	(1,591)	(6,438)
Earnings from continuing operations	200,899	171,368	124,608
Depreciation expense	939,677	872,262	833,841
Gains on vehicle sales, net	(89,108)	(62,879)	(28,727)
Share-based compensation expense	18,864	17,423	16,543
Amortization expense and other non-cash charges, net	49,209	39,928	40,900
Deferred income tax expense	87,102	90,016	41,097
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	7,107	(92,020)	(18,020)
Inventories	729	(6,154)	(7,508)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	10,715	(25,040)	(4,896)
Accounts payable	(22,803)	24,657	6,906
Accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities	(68,267)	12,395	23,290
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations	1,134,124	1,041,956	1,028,034
Cash flows from financing activities of continuing operations:
Net change in commercial paper borrowings	(64,751)	46,749	174,939
Debt proceeds	745,777	966,402	314,169
Debt repaid, including capital lease obligations	(283,937)	(419,287)	(248,668)
Dividends on common stock	(61,266)	(57,504)	(54,474)
Common stock issued	28,386	33,359	17,028
Common stock repurchased	(26,878)	(59,689)	(123,300)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	1,341	1,710	754
Debt issuance costs	(4,867)	(7,538)	(2,282)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of continuing operations	333,805	504,202	78,166
Cash flows from investing activities of continuing operations:
Purchases of property and revenue earning equipment	(2,133,235)	(1,698,589)	(1,070,092)
Sales of revenue earning equipment	405,440	290,336	220,843
Sale and leaseback of revenue earning equipment	130,184	37,395	0
Sales of operating property and equipment	7,350	9,905	13,844
Acquisitions	(5,113)	(361,921)	(211,897)
Collections on direct finance leases	71,897	62,224	61,767
Changes in restricted cash	19,204	3,478	(107)
Other, net	0	0	3,178
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations	(1,504,273)	(1,657,172)	(982,464)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,344	3,219	1,723
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations	(35,000)	(107,795)	125,459
Cash flows from discontinued operations:
Operating cash flows	(3,219)	(500)	(9,276)
Financing cash flows	0	(140)	(2,955)
Investing cash flows	0	0	1,677
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	39	(46)	(377)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations	(3,180)	(686)	(10,931)
Decrease (increase) in cash and cash equivalents	(38,180)	(108,481)	114,528
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	104,572	213,053	98,525
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31	$ 66,392	$ 104,572	$ 213,053