diff --git a/django/db/models/sql/compiler.py b/django/db/models/sql/compiler.py
index faa08e376d..1285b647d8 100644
--- a/django/db/models/sql/compiler.py
+++ b/django/db/models/sql/compiler.py
@@ -653,7 +653,12 @@ class SQLCompiler:
                 params.extend(f_params)
 
                 if self.query.select_for_update and features.has_select_for_update:
-                    if self.connection.get_autocommit():
+                    if (
+                        self.connection.get_autocommit()
+                        # Don't raise an exception when database doesn't
+                        # support transactions, as it's a noop.
+                        and features.supports_transactions
+                    ):
                         raise TransactionManagementError(
                             "select_for_update cannot be used outside of a transaction."
                         )
diff --git a/tests/queries/test_explain.py b/tests/queries/test_explain.py
index f61fe01e9d..43ff0bdef3 100644
--- a/tests/queries/test_explain.py
+++ b/tests/queries/test_explain.py
@@ -32,19 +32,11 @@ class ExplainTests(TestCase):
         for idx, queryset in enumerate(querysets):
             for format in all_formats:
                 with self.subTest(format=format, queryset=idx):
-                    with CaptureQueriesContext(connection) as captured_queries:
-                        if queryset.query.select_for_update:
-                            with transaction.atomic():
-                                result = queryset.explain(format=format)
-                        else:
-                            result = queryset.explain(format=format)
-                            self.assertEqual(len(captured_queries), 1)
+                    with self.assertNumQueries(1) as captured_queries:
+                        result = queryset.explain(format=format)
                         self.assertTrue(
-                            any(
-                                captured_query["sql"].startswith(
-                                    connection.ops.explain_prefix
-                                )
-                                for captured_query in captured_queries
+                            captured_queries[0]["sql"].startswith(
+                                connection.ops.explain_prefix
                             )
                         )
                         self.assertIsInstance(result, str)
diff --git a/tests/select_for_update/tests.py b/tests/select_for_update/tests.py
index 1612a66064..0251014541 100644
--- a/tests/select_for_update/tests.py
+++ b/tests/select_for_update/tests.py
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ class SelectForUpdateTests(TransactionTestCase):
                     str(Person.objects.filter(name="foo").select_for_update().query),
                 )
 
-    @skipUnlessDBFeature("has_select_for_update")
+    @skipUnlessDBFeature("has_select_for_update", "supports_transactions")
     def test_for_update_requires_transaction(self):
         """
         A TransactionManagementError is raised
@@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ class SelectForUpdateTests(TransactionTestCase):
         with self.assertRaisesMessage(transaction.TransactionManagementError, msg):
             list(Person.objects.select_for_update())
 
-    @skipUnlessDBFeature("has_select_for_update")
+    @skipUnlessDBFeature("has_select_for_update", "supports_transactions")
     def test_for_update_requires_transaction_only_in_execution(self):
         """
         No TransactionManagementError is raised