Customers of China's ridesharing platform DiDi can now be driven around by a "verified party member", according to an announcement this week on the company's Chinese language website.

Key points: The new identification program is available throughout mainland China

The new identification program is available throughout mainland China Verified drivers display a "party member driver sticker" on the dashboard

Verified drivers display a "party member driver sticker" on the dashboard DiDi's online classroom offers drivers "Love the party and love the country" training

A "red flag steering wheel" inside the ride-hailing service app now identifies drivers who are members of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

The driver's profile shows a red background accompanied by a Communist Party emblem, according to the notice, which was also posted on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

As the passenger enters the car, a "party member driver" sticker on the dashboard further verifies the driver has passed "Red Flag Steering Wheel" project certification.

The driver can choose whether or not they wish to disclose their party member status to the customer within the app.

DiDi says it has 550 million users and tens of millions of drivers, who provide 10 billion passenger trips a year.

The company markets itself as the world's leading rideshare platform and operates in some Australian cities including Melbourne and Brisbane, and has just launched on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

A spokesperson for DiDi said there were no plans to expand the "verified party member" service outside of China.

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DiDi's website said the "Red Flag steering wheel project" allows drivers to study party policy in order to "serve the people" better, and provide a superior travel service.

"It hopes to establish a grassroots party member network among Didi drivers, who will receive the party's latest policies and principles through online and offline activities."

DiDi has also set up "mobile party branches" in many major cities with plans to expand its "internet party building innovation" to drivers to "strengthen the party's appeal" in the driver community.

'Is DiDi driven crazy?'

The new identification program is operational throughout mainland China. ( Reuters: Jason Lee )

In October last year, DiDi announced that it was planning to recruit 1,000 CPC members to fill customer service staff positions.

The new driver identification program has been operational in major cities for some time throughout mainland China, but was officially announced on September 20.

Drivers can also now receive "Love the party and love the country" training through DiDi's online classroom, according to the company's website.

DiDi's announcement of the new feature was met with mixed reactions on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

"If you hear the driver is a Party member, you know it's reliable. It's a good thing," posted one user, while another added that "CPC members should play the leading role".

Drivers can also be identified as Party members through a red sticker on the dashboard. ( Supplied )

Other netizens were not so welcoming of the idea.

"Is DiDi driven crazy?" asked one user.

"Let's be honest, who joined the CPC for the purpose of serving the public better?" said another.

To become a Communist Party member, a candidate needs to be recommended by other members, attend party courses, and pass screening as well as written tests.