From Final Fantasy Wiki

Using Road Transportation is an optional method of travel across the world of Final Fantasy VIII until the party obtains either the Garden or Ragnarok. When using such transportation the player will experience no monster encounters, they will also possess a faster walking speed on the World Map, however the transportation needs fuel to run. Once all fuel is gone the car will cease moving. Renting a car costs 3,500 gil, fuel costs 3,000 gil per unit.

Transport Usage

The first instance of Road Transportation usage in Final Fantasy VIII is when the Balamb Garden students are transported to Balamb Town via SeeD APCs. The next is shown further along during the assassination attempt apon Sorceress Edea where Squall hijacks a blue cadilac and further along still during his escape from D-District Prison; acquiring two Galbadian APCs.
Galbadian motorcycles are seen in battle during the Battle of the Gardens and Laguna Loire is seen using a varity of transports during his appearances in flash back dream sequences.

Transport Types

Cars

Cars come in a varity of shapes and models throughout the world of Final Fantasy VIII. Accessible to the player via the town/city rental services cars and trucks can also be seen around towns and cities being used by other NPCs.

The Tempest

Main article: The Tempest

The Tempest is a light blue convertible Cadilac that Squall 'acquires' during the assassination attempt on Sorceress Edea. The Tempest would appear in Squall's possession again in Chocobo Racing.

APC

Armoured Personnel Carriers are used frequently by military forces to transport personnel to locations. Such APCs are seen being used by both the SeeD forces for student transportation and the Galbadian forces for troop transportation.

Buses

Used as a public transportation system the bus service in Deling City allows the player to travel from one end of the city to the other relatively quickly without interference from surrounding obstacles. The buses can be boarded for free simply by talking to a conductor near a relevant bus stop.

Motorcycles

Main article: Motorcycle

Galbadian soldiers ride motorcycles in the Battle of the Gardens, driving them off ramps to launch onto Balamb Garden from Galbadia Garden. To assist them, the Galbadian motorcycles had rockets strapped to their rear wheels to help propel them onto the garden. The ramps which they drive off likely have some method of launching the motorcycles as well.

Stations

Almost every town and city in Final Fantasy VIII has a car rental on its outskirts. Rent costs 3,500 gil in all places.

Gallery

Galbadian Prison APC

SeeD personel carrier

Timber food truck