Driverless trains have been in operation on the Docklands Light Railway since it opened in 1987, though a train attendant is present to operate the doors and drive the train if needed.

As of 2026, England does not have fully "unattended" driverless trains on the national rail network, but it has several high-profile systems that operate using Automatic Train Operation (ATO). The most famous is London's Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which has operated without a driver in the front cab for decades, though a "Passenger Service Assistant" is usually on board. The Elizabeth Line and the central section of the Thameslink network also use ATO to manage high-frequency schedules, though a driver remains in the cab to monitor safety and operate the doors. In 2026, the focus has shifted to the Glasgow Subway in Scotland, which is completing its transition to full GoA4 (unattended) operation. While the technology for driverless mainline trains exists, widespread implementation in England remains slowed by complex legacy infrastructure and ongoing negotiations with rail unions. Consequently, while the tech is there, your London-to-Manchester express will still have a human at the helm for the foreseeable future.