Coming to think of it, one of the important questions I usually ask during the briefing phase of the skill test is "upon successful completion of today's flight test, what privileges will you have with your new PPL (or LAPL) that you don't have now?" I am surprised at how often applicants get stumped and can't think of the answer. Once the penny drops, I go on to remind them that one of my essential duties and responsibilities is to ensure his/her future passengers are in competent and safe hands and that their goal today is to demonstrate this as well as just fly the aircraft. I am always impressed when I see the glint in their eye about how great that will be and how much they have achieved in getting this far.
I must admit, apart from first solo, which I'm sure we all remember very well, the first ever flight to LeTouquet for lunch with friends, for me was an enormous highlight, a day I will never forget and the first day I ever really believed I was a qualified pilot.