I was just about to contribute to this thread when the pissing contest started, and reminded me why I left PPRune for several years.
The Licensing system is in such chaos right now that only a very few qualified pilots, I would guess no more than 1%, really know what the privileges of their licences and ratings permit them to do.
Thing is absolutely right, and, as LA already stated, asked a perfectly reasonable question. The majority of instructors and Examiners struggle, mostly unsuccessfully, to keep up with the constantly changing rules, so how can a PPL holder, who just flies weekends be expected to understand the appalling shambles we are in at the moment.
It's only the likes of BEagle, who are constantly involved in the effort to sort out the mess, who can keep up with the latest details.
MJ
