Douglas Dynamics, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details)

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) age shares	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Additional Employee Stock Plans Information
Income tax expense	$ 5,754		$ 4,571		$ 10,668	$ 17,122
Performance Share Unit Awards \| 2010 Plan
Additional Employee Stock Plans Information
Vesting period of awards					2 years
Compensation expenses recognized	451		380		$ 1,121	886
Unrecognized compensation expense, net of expected forfeitures, calculated under the fair value method for shares expected to vest	819				819
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Additional Employee Stock Plans Information
Compensation expenses recognized	191		$ 142		1,628	$ 1,372
Unrecognized compensation expense, net of expected forfeitures, calculated under the fair value method for shares expected to vest	$ 536				536
Restricted Stock Unit Awards \| Non-employee director
Additional Employee Stock Plans Information
Number of shares issued upon exercise of units other than options \| shares	1
Restricted Stock Unit Awards \| Management
Additional Employee Stock Plans Information
Minimum age of employee, attaining which awards are continued to be vested upon retirement \| age	65
Minimum service period, upon serving which awards are continued to be vested upon retirement	10 years
Minimum age of employee along with service period condition, attaining which awards are continued to be vested upon retirement \| age	55
Accelerated stock based compensation expense		$ 619		$ 528
Restricted Stock Unit Awards \| Common Stock \| Management
Additional Employee Stock Plans Information
Number of shares issued upon exercise of units other than options \| shares	1
Restricted Stock Unit Awards \| 2010 Plan
Additional Employee Stock Plans Information
Maximum period following a termination of service in which the share-based award will be settled	2 months 15 days
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
Additional Employee Stock Plans Information
Income tax expense					$ 616