Originally Posted by
SkyDreamer
Being VFR unless you were told by a clearence Del or approach/departure to climb and maintain or maintain 3000 you can change altitude at this point
I agree with this. If you are on flight following, it is courtesy to advise the controller prior to altitude changes.
If you are in class B airspace it's different...you are cleared in at a certain altitude, and will need to maintain that, or another assigned, altitude until told otherwise (or leaving B).