You're absolutely right. For an ILS (ILS only, as written, not "ILS or LOC/DME RWY 5", for example), if there are LOC mins depicted, ATC
has to clear you for the ILS since it's the only procedure published. You're free to fly the LOC profile and mins thereafter. However any sidestep or circling would have to be separately cleared.
On this approach, you wouldn't need a separate or specific clearance to fly down to the DME mins, you'd just do it if you have it:
http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0903/00074VT30C.PDF
Bonus question for anyone: Why the different holding instructions depicted?